Alum Story: A New Beginning

Today we are honored to bring you personal advice from a guest blogger, Brenda R., a proud OFL Alum. Brenda was a member of the OFL Class of 2015 and a graduation speaker. She is currently attending Cal State Los Angeles, majoring in Kinesiology, while also interning in the marketing department for Education Management Systems in Pasadena. Read Brenda’s alum story and hear the advice she has for others who find themselves at one of life’s many crossroads.

Journey to a New Beginning

“And suddenly you know… it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” –Meister Eckhart

There comes a time when life calls for a fresh, clean start. We often get stuck in a comfort zone that, ironically, could potentially hurt us in the end. Many of us wake up in the morning and move on with our daily routine. Do we ever stop for one second to think if we are actually happy with what we do or where we are? Doing a reality check can be life-changing. You may start to realize that perhaps it is time to try something new. Pursue your dream job, move to another country, or try a different fashion style.

Yes, I do speak from experience. I started off in a high school whose tradition made me feel like I did not fit in. There was high competition among the students and a weak support system. Students had to show a high level of intelligence to prove themselves worthy enough to fit in. Being in a class where students’ graded work was passed out in order of the grade received only increased the competition. There would be mornings where I would wake up with the fear of going to school. Soon enough, I gave up on the battle against fear and decided to take another road. Some may call this failure; I call it a new beginning.

My OFL Experience

My new beginning started with Opportunities For Learning. Sure, new beginnings can often be a little scary. However, taking a chance could lead you to a great experience or a once in a lifetime opportunity. Seeing that I was in a school where empowerment and inspiration are highly valued, I knew I had landed in the right place. I could not have asked for a better support system. Every teacher and advisor was able to connect to each of their students in one way or another. I could see teachers who were able to get those students who came into school having a bad day crack a smile.

There was no competition among students, only pride. Pride because we knew that despite our struggles, we still continued to fight for our education.

Advice from My Journey

If one way does not work, always remember there are a thousand other ways. Choosing to do something different from the initial plan does not necessarily mean you have failed. It is simply a new start toward something successful. Always put yourself first. Create a life that makes you happy. Trust yourself and the “magic of beginnings”.